In a recent development, a New York City judge has rejected the motion put forth by attorneys representing US Marine veteran Daniel Penny to dismiss the charges against him related to an incident on a subway in 2023. The event involved Penny subduing a mentally ill homeless man, Jordan Neely, leading to Neely’s unfortunate death. The judge has mandated Penny to return to court in late March, with the trial scheduled to commence in the fall. Penny, aged 24, has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.
The incident unfolded on May 1, 2023, when Penny, claiming Neely’s behavior as “insanely threatening,” placed him in a headlock on the subway. While Penny asserted that he was attempting to protect fellow passengers, law enforcement maintained that Neely wasn’t specifically threatening anyone at the time of the intervention. According to police reports, Neely had uttered threats such as “I’m going to kill you,” “I’m prepared to go to jail for life,” and “I’m willing to die.”
Addressing the incident in June, Penny revealed feeling scared for himself but emphasized that, considering the women and children on the train, he couldn’t remain passive. Penny clarified that the entire interaction lasted less than five minutes, contrary to claims of a 15-minute restraint. He denied allegations of attempting to choke Neely to death, asserting that his primary intention was to restrain him.
Despite Penny receiving gratitude from several witnesses on the train who deemed his actions necessary, the judge’s decision to proceed with the trial underscores the legal complexities surrounding the case. As the legal proceedings continue, the conservative perspective may focus on issues such as self-defense, protection of others, and the challenges faced by individuals in high-pressure situations.